Words that will strike fear into football RONALDO ‘GETTING BETTER!
Bernardo: He’ s like fine wine
BERNARDO SILVA says Cristiano Ronaldo is like a fine wine – he’s improving with age.
Manchester City’s ace (right) added his voice to the plaudits raining down on the Portuguese superstar after their thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain, insisting his colleague can scale new heights.
Ronaldo bagged the 51st hat-trick of his career with his electric display in Sochi, showcasing the talents that saw him land his fifth Ballon D’OR.
And Silva says that the best may still be to come from the 33-year-old.
Amazing
He said: “When he got into the dressing room, we congratulated him. I think he is used to it – it’s kind of nice.
“With Portugal, Real Madrid, Manchester United a few years ago… he’s been amazing now for over more than 10 years.
“And I think he’s getting better and better with age. Some players are fading.
“Everyone expected that he would be normal and it would happen to him – that he’s not playing as well as he used to. But he’s not. He’s getting better and better.
“I hope he can keep up this form over the next few games.
“What we have to do is enjoy that and give him the best conditions so he can score more.
“I mean, it’s not difficult to play with him. You just give him the ball and he makes things happen.
“It’s obviously special to have someone like him alongside us – and when he’s playing like that, anything is possible.” Ronaldo lifted Portugal to a different level against the much-fancied Spanish. The reigning European Champions started slowly in France two years ago before lifting the title, and Silva says that his colleague’s presence has turned them into contenders. However, he also pointed out that Portugal are no one-man team as they triumphed in Paris after their star man picke up an injury.
He said: “We are contenders. We can do something. We have a good team, but I would say Brazil, Spain and Germany are the favourites.
“This was a good result and we have a strong group.
“We showed that in France. The team showed that it was not only about him. Yes, he is one of the best players in the world – ever, in fact – and he has shown it again. But look what happened in France.”
Portugal coach Fernando Santos saluted Ronaldo’s genius – and he is keeping his fingers crossed that the star maintains his fitness with Qatar in four years’ time on the horizon.
Santos said: “I’ve said it so many times – he’s the best in the world and I hope in Qatar he will again get the chance to score in a fifth World Cup.”